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CNM RESEARCH JOURNAL

Volume no. 15 | DECEMBER 2025
Issue no. 15


Title
KNOWLEDGE AND PRACTICES ON HOSPITAL WASTE MANAGEMENT AMONG NURSES IN SELECTED HEALTHCARE INSTITUTIONS IN BATANGAS PROVINCE
Author
Castillo, Carmela Joyce A., Cura, Risha May Jade C., Legaspi, Queenzhy Theriz B., Marasigan, Deyniel Ann E., Sajulga, Shara Mae A., Salas, Denise Ysabelle C.
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Abstract
Hospital waste management is an important issue in ensuring safe, sustainable, and hygienic health care settings. The knowledge and hospital waste management practices of nurses in selected government and private health care facilities in Batangas Province were investigated in this study. Descriptive correlational research design was utilized with 60 nurses being surveyed using validated questionnaires to determine demographic profiles, work characteristics, knowledge, practices, and hospital waste management practices including segregation, handling, disposal, and regulatory consciousness. Findings revealed that while most respondents demonstrated moderate to high knowledge across areas such as waste categorization, handling protocols, and risk awareness, gaps remained in consistent practice of proper waste practices. Statistical analysis showed significant correlations between the respondents’ demographic and work-related characteristics and their levels of knowledge and practice. Additionally, a wide gap was evident between knowledge and practice among nurses as driven by workload, training, and institutional leadership support. The findings highlight the necessity of enhanced training programs, policy implementation, and institutional efforts to promote appropriate hospital waste management practices. An action plan was proposed to address the observed deficiencies and enhance compliance. This study supports the integration of hospital waste management education into continuous professional development and institutional quality assurance programs to promote safety and environmental responsibility in healthcare settings.
Keywords
Hospital Waste Management, Nurses, Healthcare Institutions, 458 Knowledge, Practices, Batangas Province 1.0 Introduction In recent years, the global healthcare sector witnessed a significant increase in the generation of hospital waste, driven by advancements in healthcare services, the rise in patient volumes, and ongoing global challenges. In Batangas Province, the proper management of hospital waste became increasingly important as healthcare facilities grew and patient numbers rose. Despite the importance of proper hospital waste management, there were concerns about whether healthcare workers in Batangas hospitals consistently adhered to hospital waste management. Lack of awareness about the health hazards related to healthcare waste, inadequate training in proper waste management, absence of waste management and disposal systems, insufficient financial and human resources and low priority in segregation management were the most common problems connected with hospital waste. As stated in Health Care Waste Management Manual (2020), the Hazardous Waste Management Section of the DENR-EMB Environmental Quality Division provided data on the quantity in tons per year of Pathological or Infectious Waste or M five hundred one and Pharmaceuticals and Drugs or M five hundred three generated from year two thousand fifteen to two thousand seventeen. In Region IV A Calabarzon, the volume of Pathological or Infectious Waste generated to four thousand seven hundred forty point five tons in the year two thousand fifteen, three thousand seven hundred two point forty- six tons in the year two thousand sixteen, and four thousand sixteen point ninety one tons in the year two thousand seventeen. On the other hand, the volume of Pharmaceuticals and Drugs generated to seven thousand one hundred forty eight point seventy-four tons in the year two thousand fifteen, six hundred fifty seven point sixty-two tons in the year two thousand sixteen, and one hundred ninety point forty-eight tons in the year two thousand seventeen. The research study was conducted in selected government and private healthcare institutions in Batangas Province. Government hospitals included Mahal na Virgen Maria Santo Rosario District Hospital in Rosario and San Jose District Hospital in San Jose. Private hospitals included Batangas Healthcare Specialist and Our Lady of Caysasay Medical Center. The researchers conducted this study to investigate the knowledge and practices on hospital waste management among nurses in selected healthcare institutions in Batangas Province. By identifying the knowledge and practices across institutions, the study sought to identify the strengths, weaknesses, and areas for improvement in the understanding and implementation of waste management protocols. The study was expected to provide an understanding that would guide hospitals in complying with environmental regulations while ensuring the safety and health of healthcare workers, patients, and the surrounding community. As nursing students, the research was driven by their commitment to fostering a safer, 459 cleaner healthcare environment and their desire to be advocates for environment and patient centered care.
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